Today, Spotify is launching Fresh Finds Forward, a new program that will give approximately 10,000 emerging independent artists each year the resources, community, and support to turn early momentum into long-term growth.
Fresh Finds playlists are curated by Spotify’s worldwide team of music editors, who discover and champion independent, unsigned, and early-career artists they believe in across genres and markets around the world. For more than a decade, these playlists have helped over 80,000 artists across 127 countries break through and find new listeners at a critical point in their careers. Laufey, Clairo, ROLE MODEL, Ethel Cain, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Royel Otis, and Omar Apollo were all featured on Fresh Finds playlists before they built the global audiences they have today. For five consecutive years, Fresh Finds alumni have earned Best New Artist nominations, including sombr, Doechii, Japanese Breakfast, Ice Spice, and Wet Leg.
Since 2024, Fresh Finds playlists have driven more than 128 million new artist discoveries, with nearly 70% of the playlists’ streams representing a listener hearing an artist for the first time. More than half of Fresh Finds artists go on to be placed on other editorial playlists like New Music Friday, RapCaviar, or Lorem.
When our editors feature an emerging, independent artist on a playlist, it can be a springboard for visibility that brings new listeners and new opportunities. And with the connections, community, and know-how we have at Spotify, Fresh Finds Forward is how we turn that moment of discovery into something bigger, putting dedicated resources behind these artists to help them grow.
“Fresh Finds has always been about finding artists at a pivotal moment and helping them reach new audiences at the right time,” said Joe Hadley, Spotify’s Global Head of Music Content and Partnerships. “We spent years listening to what independent artists actually need, and those conversations shaped what this program would become. Fresh Finds Forward takes everything we’ve learned from a decade of discovery and builds a support system around it, so participating artists aren’t just getting a playlist placement, they’re getting the benefits, resources, and the community to make the most of that moment.”
Who it’s for
Today marks a new chapter for Fresh Finds, one that deepens our investment in the artists it champions. From January 1, 2026 onward, all eligible artists added to any Fresh Finds playlist are invited to join Fresh Finds Forward via Spotify for Artists and, once onboarded, can access the program’s benefits for 12 months.
For artists hoping to be considered for Fresh Finds, the best way to get music in front of our editors is to pitch an upcoming release through Spotify for Artists.
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How it works
Here are a few examples of what the program offers:
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- Free studio time for U.S.-based artists at studios including Electric Lady Studios in NYC, The Lighthouse at Ocean Way Nashville, and Spotify Studios in LA;
- Early access to select Spotify tools and features;
- Prioritized access to tour or music video partnerships with Spotify;
- A Fresh Finds badge on their Spotify artist profile, signaling editorial recognition;
- In-person and virtual events to connect and learn from Spotify team members and Fresh Finds alumni;
- Premium access to digital tools like LANDR Studio Pro and Splice’s Creator Plan; and
- Mental health and wellness resources, including six months of free therapy through BetterHelp.
For more information about the benefits Fresh Finds Forward artists can expect, see here.
What’s next
Notifications will begin rolling out to eligible artists through Spotify for Artists today. We’ll be sharing more stories from the program as artists hit new milestones. Follow along at @SpotifyforArtists on Instagram and TikTok!
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